Dodgers at Rockies
The Los Angeles Dodgers owe exactly half of their 12-game advantage in the National League West to their success against the Colorado Rockies, who finally solved the riddle of the six-time defending division champions on Friday. The Rockies set their sights on back-to-back victories against the Dodgers for the first time since August on Saturday, when the top two teams in the NL West continue their four-game series in Colorado.
The Dodgers moved to 7-0 against the Rockies this season with Thursday's 12-8 comeback win, running their winning streak over their nearest division competitor to 12 games dating back to last season. Colorado was able to end the second-longest losing streak to one opponent in club history with Friday's 13-9 triumph, however, taking advantage of three Los Angeles errors as part of an eight-run fifth inning to rally from an early deficit and build a lead the Dodgers could not overcome. Nolan Arenado snapped out of a 1-for-15 funk over his last five games with a 4-for-5 effort as each of the Rockies' top six batters recorded at least two hits in the victory. Los Angeles' Max Muncy continued to have his way against the Colorado, going 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs after blasting two homers in the series opener.
TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (7-1, 3.07 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (8-5, 3.92)
Kershaw failed to record a quality start for the first time in his last eight trips to the mound Monday in Arizona, settling for a no-decision after surrendering four runs in six innings. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has given up multiple homers in four starts and 12 in 85 frames this season after permitting 17 blasts over 161 1/3 innings last season. Kershaw is 22-7 with a 3.16 ERA in 40 career starts against Colorado, including a 10-4 record and 4.57 ERA in 21 outings at Coors Field.
Gray has won each of his last three decisions and is coming off back-to-back strong road outings, allowing one earned run over six innings in Arizona on June 19 before working six scoreless frames at San Francisco on Monday. The 27-year-old has been strong at home for the most part in 2019, permitting only four home runs while going 3-1 with a 3.47 ERA in seven appearances (six starts). Cody Bellinger (8-for-11) has tormented Gray, who is 3-5 with a 4.98 ERA in 12 career turns against the Dodgers.
WALK-OFFS
1. Muncy is 10-for-17 with five homers, 14 RBIs, seven runs, six walks and no strikeouts in five games at Coors Field this season.
2. Colorado OF Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-4 on Friday, setting a major-league record for the most consecutive home games with at least three hits (six).
3. Los Angeles SS Chris Taylor, who finished 2-for-5 with a run-scoring single on Friday, is batting .426 with 16 RBIs in as many games since taking over as the primary shortstop for the injured Corey Seager.